Sin and Legalism
Sin and Legalism
To some people, the idea of sin is silly. People laugh and boast about their sinful deeds. They don't realise the serious consequences of sin. But sin is no joke to God. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit convicts us of the gravity of our sins.
Other people seem to take sin seriously, yet fail to properly understand the problem of sin and how God solves it. They are known as "legalists".
Legalism is an attempt to address sin by imposing burdensome regulations, punishments, and guilt. Those who reject that path are viewed as morally loose and making light of sin.
The Biblical doctrine of sin is not legalistic. But it does take sin seriously, because of the basic facts on which the doctrine of sin is built.
In the following passages you will find lists of things which God views as sin. It is important that you look up these passages to see for yourself what God regards as sin.
Mrk 7:21-22 | Gal 5:19-21 | 1Co 6:9-10 | 1Tm 1:9-10 | Rev 21:8 | Rev 22:15.
Whilst those verses don't list absolutely every sin, they don't merely scratch the surface either. They show us clearly and comprehensively what God regards as sin. These are abominations to God and we must take them seriously. These lists include such things as...
Unlike God, some people delight in minute detail, and obscure points of law. The imaginary "sins" which they invent should not be taken seriously.
In Part 2